Millions of U.S. workers to see higher pay from minimum-wage hikes in 2019

"Fifteen dollars an hour has become the new minimum wage, meaning that that’s to afford the basics," one employment-law expert said. "It’s just a start."

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Dec. 30, 2018, 5:57 PM GMT / Updated Dec. 31, 2018, 5:40 AM GMT

By Janelle Griffith

Millions of U.S. workers will see increased pay in 2019 due to minimum-wage hikes in 20 states and 21 cities.

With the federal minimum wage stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009, many states and cities have taken it upon themselves to raise the rate for the lowest-paid workers.

Eight states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, and Washington state — are phasing in increases that will eventually put their minimum wages at $12 to $15 an hour, according to the National Employment Law Project (NELP), a nonprofit that advocates for higher minimum wages.

In addition, 13 cities and counties are hiking their minimum wages to $15 an hour or higher in the new year, the nonprofit says.

Workers in lower-cost areas will benefit the most from the increases, said Paul Sonn, state program policy director at NELP. The change will mean less for people in high-cost states like California and New York.

"Right now, in an expensive state like California, a single worker needs about $20 an hour to afford the basics," Sonn said. "Whereas $15 is what a single worker needs in a less expensive state such as Alabama, Florida or Texas."

"Fifteen dollars an hour has become the new minimum wage, meaning that that’s to afford the basics," he said. "It’s just a start. Those with children and in expensive states need even more."